In this week’s episode of the Lead With Your Brand! podcast, Jayzen Patria kicks things off not in a boardroom, but in a theme park. Fresh from a behind-the-scenes visit to Universal’s new Epic Universe, Jayzen shares unexpected (and powerful) lessons about personal branding drawn from immersive rides, gothic taverns, and talking portraits.

Why? Because the experience Universal crafted is more than entertainment—it’s a masterclass in branding. And your career should be, too.

It’s time to stop thinking of your work as a collection of disconnected tasks. Instead, ask “What’s the full experience people have when they interact with you—on Zoom, over email, in meetings, or across teams?”

Key takeaways include:

• Brand is experience. It’s not just what you do—it’s how others feel when they work with you. Your brand should be intentional, immersive, and memorable.
• Use your own language. Just like Universal has “portals” instead of lands and Starbucks has “baristas” instead of employees, you can craft a vocabulary that reflects your unique value and personality.
• Surprise and delight. Think about how you can go the extra mile—offer help before it’s asked for, share insights, or simply create moments that make people smile.
• Create emotional resonance. The most successful brands—and careers—are about more than results. They’re about storytelling, connection, and leaving a lasting impression.
• Be consistent across touchpoints. Whether it’s a quick text, a project presentation, or a hallway conversation, everything you do should feel like it’s part of the same “epic universe.”

Then, stay tuned for this week’s guest Stephanie Luros-Gilbert, who shares their own story of leading with their brand and creating a professional journey that’s anything but ordinary. As the Chief Commercial Officer at BSI and Food Service Holdings, she leads with a focus on innovation and impact across the foodservice space.  She’s passionate about opening up non-traditional career paths in hospitality and tackling issues like food insecurity. Stephanie also serves in leadership roles with NAFEM and IFMA, helping shape the future of the industry.

Guest Bio

Stephanie Luros-Gilbert

Chief Commercial Officer

BSI and Food Service Holdings

In her role, Stephanie leads all commercially facing initiatives with a focus on driving growth and positioning best-in-class solutions providers to effect meaningful change across the foodservice landscape. A strategic business development and operational executive, Stephanie brings over 20 years of experience in the commercial foodservice equipment and manufacturing sectors.

Throughout her career, Stephanie has built a reputation for fostering industry collaboration and innovation. She is a dedicated advocate for elevating non-traditional career pathways within hospitality and is especially passionate about cross-industry efforts to combat food insecurity. A committed leader beyond her corporate role, Stephanie currently serves on the NAFEM Board of Directors, the IFMA Food Away From Home Association Board of Directors, amongst a multitude of other volunteer leadership roles. Stephanie’s breadth of experience and her tireless commitment to advancing the industry make her a respected voice and influential leader in foodservice and hospitality.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

To learn more about opportunities at BSI, click www.bsidesigns.com